Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
When Sicilian mafia boss Benedetto "Nitto" Santapaola died in prison earlier this year, OCCRP's photo editor Erika Di Benedetto received a surprising call that revived memories of her childhood growing up in Catania.
In this personal essay, she reflects on what it means to be Sicilian — and events that changed the course of her father’s life.
occrp.org/en/feature/what-it-means-to-be-sicilian
#sicily #italy #mafia
When Sicilian mafia boss Benedetto "Nitto" Santapaola died in prison earlier this year, OCCRP's photo editor Erika Di Benedetto received a surprising call that revived memories of her childhood growing up in Catania.
In this personal essay, she reflects on what it means to be Sicilian — and events that changed the course of her father’s life.
occrp.org/en/feature/what-it-means-to-be-sicilian
#sicily #italy #mafia
